Spare
/spɛər/
adjectiveverbnounB1
Definition
As an adjective, "spare" describes something extra that is not currently in use but kept for later. As a verb, it means to save someone from harm or to give something extra. As a noun, it refers to an extra item kept just in case it is needed.
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⚡ See It in Action
Adjective: Extra or available to use if needed
- •I have a spare pen if you need one.
- •She kept a spare tire in the car trunk.
- •Do you have a spare seat for me at the table?
Verb: To save someone from trouble or harm; to give something extra
- •Please spare me the details; I don't want to hear all the problems.
- •He spared no effort to finish the project on time.
- •Could you spare some change for the bus?
Noun: An extra item kept for use if needed
- •The spare is in the garage if the tire goes flat.
- •Always carry a spare in case of emergencies.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "spare" like "extra" (A1 word), but often used when something is saved or saved for later use.
- ✓Picture a spare key hanging on a hook at home—it's not used every day but is there if the main key is lost.
- ✓It's the feeling when you have a little extra time or money you don't need right now but can use later.
- ✓Sounds like "spare" → imagine someone carefully saving a little extra to share or protect.
- ✓Think of stories where a hero "spares" a villain, meaning they choose not to hurt them.
- ✓NOT like "lost" (something missing), "spare" is something extra and available.
- ✓NOT like "waste" (throw away), "spare" means to save or keep something.
- ✓NOT like "borrow" (take from someone), "spare" can mean to give or save something for others.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Extra: additional thing or person (Use when you want to say more than usual or needed)
- •Save: keep from harm or loss (Use when focusing on protecting or not using something)
- •Reserve: something kept for future use (Use when talking about saving something for later)
- •Give: to offer or provide (Use when focusing on giving something to someone)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefixes or suffixes; "spare" is a simple root word.
- •Etymology: From Old English "sparian" meaning to save or refrain from harming.
- •Historical development: Originally meant to save or protect; later also used for extra things kept.
- •Modern usage: Used as adjective for extra, verb for saving or giving, and noun for extra items.
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When might it be important to have a spare of something, and why?
•How does the idea of sparing someone relate to kindness or mercy in your culture?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.I always keep a spare ___ in my bag in case my pen stops working.
2.She asked him to spare her from hearing the bad ___ about the accident.
3.If you have a spare ticket, I would love to ___ it.
4.He spared no ___ to finish the work on time, working late every night.
5.The car has a spare tire, so if one gets flat, you can ___ it quickly.
6.Can you spare me a few minutes? I want to talk about something important.
7.Unlike throwing things away, to spare something means to ___ or keep it safe.